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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 2d

Tonight’s @allodarlin.bsky.social gig at Nottingham #OldColdStore was full of the joy that keeps me - and so many others - coming back for more.

Some very welcome surprises on the set list, too. Anticipation already building for Thursday…

A black and white photo of Elizabeth Morris Innsett and Bill Botting from the band Allo Darlin’, on stage at The Old Cold Store, Nottingham, UK.

Elizabeth is away from her microphone, dancing while playing the ukulele. Bill is to her left, playing the bass guitar.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 2d

A really lovely gig by @kathrynwilliamsuk.bsky.social at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last night. A new album and a huge catalogue of songs to draw from makes for shows that are as fresh and engaging and charming as ever.

A black and white photo of Kathryn Williams on stage at Cambridge Junction, UK. She is behind a music stand, playing an acoustic guitar and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 4d

Without a doubt, the hottest ticket in London last night was the UK debut of #ErikaVikman at #TheGarage. Language is no barrier when you - and your band - perform like that. Fantastic, friendly crowd and a show that I’ll remember for a long time.

Finland’s Erika Vikman on stage at The Garage in London, UK. She is singing into the microphone that she holds in her right hand, while wreathed in stage smoke and bathed in yellow light.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 5d

We are _so_ ready. ❤️

allodarlin.bsky.social @allodarlin.bsky.social · 5d

We are ready! Are you guys ready?

Slumberland Records @slumberlandrecords.com · 6d

That super special set of Allo Darlin' shows is *next week*!
Oct 7: Nottingham [sold out]
Oct 8: live in session for BBC 6 Music from 9pm
Oct 9: London, EartH
Oct 10: Glasgow, Stereo
Oct 11: Manchester, Band on the Wall
Tickets: li.sten.to/allo-darlin-...

@allodarlin.bsky.social @fikarecordings.com

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 5d

Especially after missing out first time round, I remember the euphoria of the first #Sleeper reunion shows. Eight years on, their live sets incorporate new songs and revisit old ones with the same vitality. A quality gig at Camden #ElectricBallroom last night.

A black and white photo of the band Sleeper on stage at Electric Ballroom, Camden, London.

Jon Stewart and Louise Wener are front of stage, playing guitar and singing, respectively. Andy Maclure is visible in the background, playing drums.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 12d

Four albums in, @thebeths.bsky.social are at the point where, if they played everyone’s favourite song, they’d be on stage for three hours or more.

It also means that the normal-length set they played at the Roundhouse last night was full of everything that’s great about them. I love that band.

A black and white photo of Elizabeth Stokes of NZ band The Beths, on stage at the Roundhouse, London.

She is leaning forward to sing into a microphone as she plays her electric guitar. An Orange-branded amplifier is visible in the background.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 13d

A pub sounds like the perfect venue to me!

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 13d

There is something very special about a big room full of people falling completely silent to listen to _that_ moment of a show. It happened more than once during Black Country, New Road’s hometown gig at Cambridge Corn Exchange on Wednesday night. Emotional, that one.

A black and white photo of Georgia Ellery, from the band Black Country, New Road, on stage at Cambridge Corn Exchange.

She is playing an acoustic guitar, singing into a microphone, and looking up into the crowd.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 16d

Nor me!

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · 17d

Not for the first time, my immediate thought after going to a @nerinapallot.bsky.social gig is that I’d quite like to go to another Nerina Pallot gig.

Two excellent sets at a sold-out @storeysfieldcentre.bsky.social last Saturday. She’s the kind of artist that room was made for.

A black and white photo of singer-songwriter Nerina Pallot on stage at Storeys Field Centre, Cambridge, UK. She is seated, playing an electric piano and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Sep 4

Last night’s @bambaranyc.bsky.social gig at #ThePortlandArms - a masterclass in taking advantage of a small venue to interact with the crowd and bring them into the show. Loud, and sweaty, and dynamic in all the right ways.

A black and white photo of Reid Bateh of the band Bambara, on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK.

Reid is at the front of the stage with his bandmates behind him. His right arm is raised as he sings into the microphone that he holds in his left hand.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Sep 1

It is always a pleasure when @thisisthekit.bsky.social visit Cambridge. Fab show at @storeysfieldcentre.bsky.social on Sunday night. Could just be me, but I thought they rocked a little harder than usual. Kate Stables channeling her inner Ian Anderson, perhaps?

A black and white photo of Kate Stables and Jamie Whitby-Coles of This Is The Kit, on stage at Storeys Field Centre, Cambridge, UK.

Jamie is playing the drums at the back of the stage. Kate is at the front of the stage, playing a banjo and standing on one leg.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Aug 25

Some bands struggle with where to place their big songs in the setlist. @men-without-hats.bsky.social have a neat solution. Play it at the start. Play a longer version at the end. And play the power ballad version in the encore.

Tonight, at The Garage, we could dance, and we did want to. Safely.

A black and white photo of Ivan Doroschuk of Men Without Hats on stage at The Garage, London, UK. He is moving toward the front of the stage while singing into the microphone that he’s carrying on its stand.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Aug 25

“Sometimes there are tears.
Sometimes there is laughter.
But always, there’s a Happy Ever After.”

We can hope so.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Aug 21

Oh, bravo! 🙂

Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Aug 12

Just before the end of his set at @cambridgejunction.bsky.social last night, #AlanSparhawk had some words for the crowd:

“We made a life and a family out of what you gave us. Thank you.”

A fitting close for a show that had by turns been soft, and surprising, and loud, and intimate, and emotional.

A black and white photo of Alan Sparhawk on stage at The Junction, Cambridge, UK. He is shirtless, playing the guitar that’s strapped over his left shoulder, and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Aug 3

Stupid bloody game.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Jul 31

We know how hard it is for touring musicians at the moment, so big respect to @joanaspolicewoman.bsky.social and her outstanding players - Will Graefe and Jeremy Gustin - for coming to the UK and playing @cambridgejunction.bsky.social on Tuesday night. It was a really, really good one.

A black and white photo of Joan Wasser, aka Joan As Police Woman, on stage at Cambridge Junction, UK. Joan is standing as she sings into a microphone and plays one of her two keyboards.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Jul 17

Really lovely atmosphere at #ThePortlandArms in Cambridge last night for @nellmescal.bsky.social’s gig - friendly and supportive and inclusive. And not only did the crowd know all the words, but they sang along _in tune_! A pleasure to be there.

A black and white photo of Nell Mescal on stage at The Portland Arms, Cambridge, UK. Nell is holding her microphone stand with her left hand and her mic in her right as she stands in front of a plectrum-shaped sign reading “The Portland”.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Jul 14

This all feels a bit Headingly 2005, doesn’t it?

Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Jul 14

As all England-watchers know, it is the hope that kills you.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Jul 13

Andrew Castle said that the King Of Spain is watching from the Royal Box, which can’t be right because Ashley Giles is nowhere to be seen. #Wimbledon

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Jul 12

A rare full-band outing and a headline set for #PaulGoodwin at The Blue Moon in Cambridge last Tuesday night: more songs and richer arrangements. And there’s something about his voice that makes you believe every word he sings.

A black and white photo of Paul Goodwin on stage with his band at The Blue Moon, Cambridge, UK. Paul is playing an electric guitar and singing into a microphone.

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Jul 10

Oh, you know it was. I think what I love most is that it doesn't try to pick straight back up from 2014, as if the years haven't passed and none of us have changed. It's an AD record for 2025. The listening party and the gigs are going to be great. ❤️

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Jon Hill @kimjonhill.com · Jul 8

I got home late tonight. Found this waiting for me. For the first @allodarlin.bsky.social album in over a decade, sleep can wait. #BrightNights

A photo of the Allo Darlin’ LP Bright Nights playing on a turntable with its sleeve propped up behind it.

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